TankBud

Green phantom pleco (L200)

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Also known as L200, Green Phantom Plec, Lemon Spotted Green Pleco

FreshwaterFish

Green phantom pleco (L200) (Hemiancistrus subviridis)
5snake5 · CC0

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F
26–30°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Rio Orinoco and Rio Ventuari drainages of Venezuela and eastern Colombia.

Overview

The green phantom pleco (L200) is a medium-sized pleco for a rocky community tank with strong flow. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The green phantom pleco's bright green fades if its diet is too heavy on vegetables and light on protein.

Caring for the green phantom pleco (L200)

Give the green phantom pleco (L200) a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L) with strong current. Fill it with plenty of rock and cave cover, and give each pleco its own cave.

Keep the water warm, at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Strong flow and high oxygen suit it.

It is not a dedicated algae eater. Feed a protein-forward mix of sinking wafers, frozen bloodworms, mysis and chopped shrimp, with only the occasional spirulina wafer and blanched vegetable. A green phantom that turns dull usually just needs more meaty food.

It is mostly peaceful toward other fish but territorial with its own kind. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

The green phantom pleco (L200) was described as Hemiancistrus subviridis and is sometimes sold as the lemon-spotted green pleco. The high-fin form traded as L200a is a different fish, Baryancistrus demantoides. Its color ranges from olive to bright lime green with fine gold spotting.

In the wild

The green phantom pleco (L200) comes from the Rio Orinoco and Rio Ventuari drainages of Venezuela and eastern Colombia. It lives in warm, fast-flowing stretches among boulders and bedrock cracks, grazing the biofilm and algae film off rock faces. Despite its color and algae-grazer reputation, it takes a lot of animal protein, feeding on aufwuchs packed with small crustaceans and insect larvae.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The green phantom pleco (L200) is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a green phantom pleco (L200) need?

A green phantom pleco (L200) needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a green phantom pleco (L200) need?

A green phantom pleco (L200) is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a green phantom pleco (L200) eat?

A green phantom pleco (L200) eats a protein-forward mix of sinking wafers, frozen bloodworms, mysis and chopped shrimp. Add only the occasional spirulina wafer and blanched vegetable.

How big does a green phantom pleco (L200) get?

An adult green phantom pleco (L200) reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

Related species